No two adventures require the same packing strategy.
A family beach vacation looks very different from an overlanding expedition. A weekend at the campground has different storage needs than moving a motorcycle across the state.
The mistake many travelers make is trying to solve every trip with a single cargo solution.
In reality, the best setups combine different types of cargo carriers to match the journey. A hitch cargo carrier can handle heavy gear. A roof bag keeps bulky items dry. A roof rack basket creates flexible storage for oversized equipment. A motorcycle carrier frees up trailer space and simplifies transport.
Here are some of the best cargo carrier combinations for different types of adventures and why they work.
🏖️ The Family Beach Vacation
A beach trip has one thing in common with every family vacation: bulky gear.
Between towels, chairs, umbrellas, coolers, toys, and luggage, the cargo area fills up long before everyone is ready to leave.
Best Setup:
Hitch Cargo Carrier + Waterproof Hitch Cargo Bag
The hitch carrier is perfect for larger items like coolers and beach chairs, while a waterproof cargo bag keeps towels, clothing, and other soft gear protected from unexpected rain and road spray.
This setup also keeps sandy gear outside the cabin on the drive home, making cleanup much easier.
🏕️ The Weekend Camping Getaway
Camping gear comes in all shapes and sizes.
A tent might be lightweight but bulky. Camp chairs never seem to fit neatly. Sleeping bags take up more room than expected.
Best Setup:
Roof Cargo Bag + Hitch Cargo Carrier
Use the rooftop cargo carrier bag for lighter gear such as sleeping bags, camp chairs, and tents.
Reserve the hitch carrier for heavier equipment like coolers, water containers, camp stoves, or storage bins.
Splitting the load this way makes packing easier and helps maintain a more organized campsite when you arrive.
🌄 The Overlanding Expedition
Overlanding often means traveling farther from services and relying on the gear you bring.
Storage becomes just as important as vehicle capability.
Best Setup:
Roof Rack Basket + XXL Hitch Cargo Carrier
The roof rack provides room for bulky outdoor equipment, traction boards, recovery gear, or fuel-safe storage where appropriate.
An XXL hitch carrier handles larger bins, camp kitchens, and equipment that would otherwise consume valuable cabin space.
This combination creates a flexible storage system that can adapt to trips lasting several days or even weeks.
🚴 The Outdoor Sports Weekend
Whether you're heading to the mountains, the lake, or a tournament, outdoor adventures often involve heavy, oddly shaped equipment.
Best Setup:
Roof Rack Basket + High Capacity Hitch Cargo Carrier
Long or oversized gear can ride securely on the roof, while bags, coolers, folding chairs, and additional equipment stay organized on the hitch carrier.
Keeping muddy shoes and wet equipment outside the passenger compartment also makes the ride home much more pleasant.
🏍️ Transporting a Motorcycle
Bringing a motorcycle along doesn't have to mean towing a trailer.
Best Setup:
Motorcycle Carrier + Roof Rack Basket
A hitch-mounted motorcycle carrier transports the bike securely while a cargo roof rack provides additional room for riding gear, helmets, luggage, camping supplies, or tools.
This setup is especially useful for riders traveling to distant trails, rallies, or track days.
🚚 Moving Into College or a New Apartment
Some trips are less about adventure and more about maximizing every inch of available space.
Best Setup:
Roof Cargo Bag + Hitch Cargo Carrier Set
Large but lightweight items like bedding, clothing, and pillows fit well inside a waterproof roof cargo bag.
Boxes, storage containers, and other heavier belongings can ride on a hitch carrier.
This combination helps smaller SUVs and crossovers carry much more than their interior cargo area alone.
🐾 Traveling With Pets
Anyone traveling with dogs knows that cabin space disappears quickly.
A large crate, pet bed, or simply giving your dog room to stretch out often means sacrificing luggage space.
Best Setup:
Hitch Cargo Carrier + Hitch Bag
Moving luggage and camping gear outside the vehicle creates a more comfortable interior for both pets and passengers.
It's a simple change that can make long drives more enjoyable for everyone.
🎄 Holiday Travel
Holiday road trips often involve luggage on the way there and even more cargo on the way back.
Best Setup:
Roof Cargo Bag + XL Hitch Cargo Carrier + Hitch Bag
The roof bag is ideal for clothing, wrapped gifts, blankets, and other soft goods.
The XL hitch carrier provides room for coolers, extra luggage, or larger items picked up during the trip that can stay protected from winter weather in the cargo bag.
You'll spend less time playing luggage Jenga and more time enjoying the holidays.
🚙 The Ultimate Cross-Country Road Trip
When you're covering hundreds or even thousands of miles, organization becomes just as important as capacity.
Best Setup:
Roof Rack Basket + Roof Cargo Bag + Hitch Carrier Set
This three-part setup creates dedicated storage zones:
- Roof bag: Clothing, pillows, blankets, and other weather-sensitive gear
- Roof basket: Bulky outdoor equipment or lightweight oversized items
- Hitch carrier: Coolers, camp kitchens, storage bins, and heavier equipment
Keeping each category of gear in its own space makes packing, unloading, and repacking much simpler throughout the trip.
Choosing the Right Combination
The best cargo carrier setup depends on three questions:
What are you bringing? Heavy gear is usually best on a hitch carrier, while bulky, lightweight items are well suited for roof storage.
How long are you traveling? Weekend getaways may only need one carrier. Longer trips often benefit from combining multiple storage solutions.
Who's riding with you? Families, pets, and groups all reduce available interior space, making external cargo storage even more valuable.
There isn't a single cargo carrier that's perfect for every adventure. The goal is to build a setup that fits the way you travel.
More Adventures, Less Compromise
The best trips rarely happen because you packed more.
They happen because you packed smarter.
Combining hitch cargo carriers, roof rack baskets, roof cargo bags, and motorcycle carriers lets you create a storage system that matches your destination instead of forcing every trip into the same setup.
Ready to Build Your Perfect Setup?
Whether you're camping in the mountains, relaxing at the beach, exploring backcountry trails, or transporting a motorcycle for the weekend, the right combination keeps your gear organized, your passengers comfortable, and your adventure focused on the road ahead instead of the lack of space.
Explore Mockins' full lineup of cargo solutions and find the setup that fits your vehicle, your gear, and the way you love to travel. Your next adventure starts with packing smarter.
Be sure to check out our feature in Car and Driver!
